Trap for separating fluids of different characteristics and particularly for separating liquids and gases from vapors.



c. s enoww. TR'AP FOR SEPARATING FLUIDS OF DIFFERENT QHARAGTERSSTICS AND PARHCULARLY FOR SEPARATING LIQUIDS AND GASES FROM VAPORS. APPLICATION FiLED AM. 30. 19:2.

m my

I c. s. BROWN. TRAP FOR SEPARATING FLUIDS OF DIFFERENT CHARACTERISTICS AND PARTICULARLY FOR SEPARATING LIQUIDS AND GASES FROM VAPOBS.

a APSLICATION FILED APR. 30. I912. N 1 163} Patented Dec. I, 19L).

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR/ a A 945W BY rrn ens rnrnrrr oirnipia f CHARLES S. BROWN, 0]? NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

TRAP FOR SEPARATING FLUIDS OF DIFFERENT CHARACTERISTICS AND PARTICU' EARLY FOR SEPARATING LIQUIDS AND GASES FROM VAPOLRS.

Application filed Apri130, 1912. $eria1 No. 694,196.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, CHARLES S. BROWN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Nashville, county of Davidson, and State of Tennessee, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Traps for Separating v Fluids of Different Characteristics and Particularly for Separating L quids and Gases venting the escape and the loss of the steam.

The invention is applicable, however, to the separation of other rliquids from other gases or vapors.

The invention also includes features of construction which are designed tocheck the back flow intothe system or apparatus of the liquids or fluids which are being separated.

The object of the invention is to produce a simple stfucture efficient in executing any or all of the functions of the device. hereinafter described.

The invention consists in certain features of construction and in the combinations thereof. which are particularly recited in the claims.

One feature of the invention consists in providing a rolling valve which. is placed or contained in a suitable casing arranged to receive the fluids to be separated, and which valve is adapted to be rolled across a lateral outlet orifice in the casing by the rising or falling of the liquid, whereby the outlet orifice is opened or closed partly or wholly according to the amount of liquid which is accumulated in the casing, sons to permit the liquid to escape when it has risen to or above a certain level while preventing the escape of one or more gases or vapors.

Another feature of the invention consistsin forming the cooperating surfaces of the. valve and orifice nozzle, so as to produce a space between them in which the pressure} Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. t, 3315..

in the liquid. is gradually reduced as the liquid flows through it to the orifice adapting a portion of thisspacc for the passage of gases, or leading into it, as the operating conditions may require, a passage of lower impedance than that of the pressure reducing space for the passage of gases from,

above the normal liquid level to the orifice. Another feature of the invention consists in providing a thermostat so arranged as to move the valve away from the outlet orifice when the contents of the casing arecooled.

Another feature of the inventionco'nsists in combining the devices already mentioned with a radiator or heater so as to permit the escape of the water of condensation and the air, while preventingthe escape and loss of steam. The invention also consists of other featuresand combinations of. parts which are hereinafter set forth.

Of the drawings, Figure 1;;is a vertical section to one-half scale of an embodiment of the various features disclosed and claimed, the section being taken through the center of outlet 0 at the right; Fig. 1 is an enlargement of the portion ofFig 1 in the vicinity of outlet 0; Fig. 2 is a similar section showing the device in comb -ation with a. radiator or heater; Fig. 3 is a front elevation looking from the interior of the casing of Fig. 1 to the right toward the nozzle P; Figs. f and 5 are views similarto Fig. 3, and diagrammatically illustrate the action of the invention; Fig. 6 is aview similar to Fig. 1, of a modification, and Fig. 7 is an end view 'of the nozzle P shown in Fig. 6

looking from left to right, and showing the form of the passage G and illustrating the action of the apparatus at a certain liquid level. 6

The apparatus shown in the drawings is particularly adapted for use in connection with a steam plant or a steamheating systern, in which the water of condensation and air are to be separated from steam, and the apparatus will be described as it would operate if used for this purpose. Nearly all .prior devices for this purpose have permitted the escape of excessive amounts of steam, either Wastefully, or in such a manner as to interfere with the successful operation of the heating system. With this in vention lthe steam-trapping action is very efficient, and in the preferred forms the Lam amount of steamescaping into the return the fact that the temperature of the discharged water falls rapidly within a few feet after passing the device.

The principal functions'of structures embodying the invention when combined with a radiator or heater, are to separate the water from the steam, and to separate the air from the steam. The air and water may .be'separated respectively by different means or through dilierent'outlets, but in the preferred construction both air and water are removed through the same outlet.

return or check valve function need not be employed, and in many cases the structure is not intended to be adapted for the exercise of such function, as, for example, in Fig. 2.

Referring is the embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. 1, the casing Q may be the radiator or heater itself, or other equivalent, in some instances, or a part or the same, as in Fig. 2, but as shown in Fig; 1 the casing may be separate, .and provided with a detachably secured top T. Even in the case of Fig. 1, however, the casing is in free communication with the system to be trapped; The inlet into casing'Qffrom the radiator is the orifice I communicating with the passage Orifice I may be at any part of the casing, but'ls shown as the orifice at? a passage through a stop or rest S, which is adyztable in-casing A. The outlet orifice for water, and for air when desired, as preferred, is .at O in nozzle P, this location laterally of its cooperating valve, such for example as float F, and ap'proximatelyon the horizontal meridian of the float, being of particular significance as hereinafter explained, especially in connection with the relative proportions of the said outlet orifice and of the valve-controlling float, and also in connection with other features to be described. The orifice O communicates with the passage extending through the plug or nozzle P, into the chamber H, which is provided with an outlet K adapted to be conerected to the return to the steam boiler.

The plug i is screw-threaded asshown in wall of the casing. This plug is provided with a central opening which is screwthreaded and which is adapted to receive the screw-threaded stem 2' which carries at its inner end thecleaning pin Z. The pin Z passes through a bearing in a bridge piece 7a which extends across the outer end ,of the plug P. "The stem ieis provided with a han'dlcL. By turning the handle L the The non means whereby the sediment may be blownout which may collect in the bottom of the casing.

The plug P has its inner face curved as shown in Figs. 1 and 1 the curvature of this surface being of a greater radius than the curvature of the float or ball F. "This curved surface extends outwardly from and around the outlet orifice O. The plug P is provided with a small passage Q which extends from the upper surface of the plug to a point near the upper edge of the outlet orifice O by means of which air may escape from the upper part of the casing through the outlet orifice 0.

J represents a thermostatic device -made in any ordinary form, so constructed that when it is cold it will assume the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and will thereby hold the float F in a raised position so as to open, or partly open, the orifice O, and thus permit the escape of fluids, and

when it is heated, as by steam, it will assume casing C, and sufiicie'nt liquid to support the float F,'the latter will seek the point of minimum pressure, 2'. e., the orifice O, and be held on its seat on orifice O by the steam pressure and by its buoyancy, thus closing said outlet orifice to all discharges except normal leakage. This closure will be maintained until the buoyancy of the float due to accumulated condensation and consequent higher water level, reaches the critical point of balancing the pressure or force which is maintaining the closure, which force is the difference between the pressure inside the casing and that in the outlet passage v0.

The actual operation, as visually'obseryed by me through glass, in demonstration of the invention, is as follows, when the rate of condensation is greater than any slight normal leakage through orifice 0: As the water oi. condensation accumulates in the trap, the float is raised to open 0 slightly at its lower edge, and the float remains fixed in suclr position, permitting the constant discharge of water during a constant rate of condensation. If such rate increases to such extent as to cause a material increase in the height of the water level, the float, upon the attainment of a definite higher level, is suddenly rolled up from its seat falls.

taining the level at which the forces are suddenly unbalanced.

One most serious defect in *nearly all prior traps used ior this purpose has been the inability to open the Water outlet against high steam pressure, in cases of devices which satisfactorily conserved the, steam. 01cc of the principal features or my invention whereby the orifice is opened to permit discharge, against the tendency of even a .veryhigh steam pressure to maintain closure, is the construction and relative location and arrangement of the outlet orifice O, and, in certain related aspects, of the'fioat l and also of the nozzle P. In the first place, the orifice O is not only laterally disposed with reference to the float, but it is cl quite small diameter relative to the size of the float, although it may be of itself quite large, ln an assumed example of a sn'iall sized device, inches in diameter, and the orifice, which may be circular, may have a diameterof a rpilarter of an inch; and such a four-inch float of such weight, 2'. 12., about half a pound as to have approximately one-half sulunergence 1n the water when floating maximum buoy tree, and an approximate a :y of half a pound when completely ubmerged in water; the outlet orifice O is located at substantially the horizontal meridian of the float in its lower position shown." Under these conditions, and under the conditions of such high steam pressure as to. hold the float with considerable pressure against the outlet orifice 0, an increase o l? water level beyond a predetermined higher point will thereupon suddenly tend to lift the fioat and open the outlet for the escape olf water. The increasing water level,

tending to raise the float, creates an 111- creasing force which acts as if concentrated at the center; of gravity of the fioat in the direction. of the arrow L, (Fig. 1), and exerts a turning moment through the lcverarm c of the float on the fulcrum or instant :lxis M, fixed friction-ally by the steam pressure; and as said fulcrum M is on the upper edge of the orifice O, the float F simply rolls. suddenly up the face of the plug P to the dotted line position F to open the outlet to permit the escape of the water below the float, while trapping ill but an immaterial quantity of the steam above it, will be hereinafter described. When the excess water has escaped, the tloat will return forthwith to'its position of clos- 1 inches) which isthe power of the float to overcome the float may be four This. would be much ure in which it is normally held by/the steam pressure and by the remaining "body of water. In all cases the orifice 0 should be quite small-relative to the float, but it may be largest when in the particular loca-- tion of maximum eificiency shown, 2'. 6., at, approximately the horizontal meridian of the float. when the float closes the orifice. Tlieiinportance, as to eficiency, of locating Y the orifice 0 as near as possible to said position relative to the float, will be appreciated from the following considerations of the above specified conditions, bearing in mind that the difficulty in the past has been to insure the openingof the outlet in cases of high steam pressure. In the example of maximum efiiciency shown, the turn ng molnent on fulcrum M which is exerted by the buoyancy of the fioat, ;acting as a force concentrated at its center of gravity, is meas uredby the product of said buoyancy (assumed above to be half a pound) and the radius of the float (assumed above to'be two the result being one inch-pound,

the orifice-pressure; At a condition of balance, this power equals the moment of the efi'ective orifice-pressure which effects closure at O.

'The orificdpressure acts as if concentrated at the center of gravity of the orifice O, so that its lever-arm relative to fulcrum M is li e, one eighth inch inlength, i. a, half the diameter of the orifice. The effective orifice pressure is the difi'erence (p) between the pressure inside ofthe casing G and that in the outlet passage H, and its moment about the fulcrum M is measured by the product of. the area of the quarterinch orifice (one twentieth of a square inch) and the leverarm bc (one-eighth inch), which product is obviously only one-hundred-a'nd-sixticth of the total dillerence in pressure, (7)). Thus, since under the same conditions, the moment of flotation was unity, it is apparent that the pressure p equals 160 pounds; That is, with the or rangement of maximum efiiciency shown, (6. 6., the orifice O at the horizontal meridian of the float), the float has the power to open the outlet against any steam pressure up tonne hundred and sixty pounds. less if the outlet 0 were located materially below the horizontal meridian of the float, as then the effective lever-arm a-b would be greatly reduced. until finally it would become zero if the outlet were located directly beneath the float where there would be no turning moment on the edge of the orifice, and the buoyancy would act merely to pull the float directly upward from the orifice. .In such a case, other conditions remaining the same as abowhthe float could not be lifted, against a that pressure would produce, on the assumed orifice of oue-twentieth of a square inch in area, a pressure of half a pound, just balancing the buoyancy of the float. But even in the case of the location or" maximum eifi ciency shown, the fioat and the orifice O are to have some such relative proportions, as

above described, dependent upon the operatmoment of the float, particularly as the- .ellcctive lever-arm cz--b of the float is materially reduced by a material increase in the size of the orifice. It is the combination of the relative proportions and the location of the float and outlet which produces the arrangement wherein the effective leverage of the buoyancy of the float to overcome the orifice pressure is directly proportionate to the ratio of the radii of float and orifice, whereby an increase in the ratio between the sizes of the two is accompanied by a correspondingly great increase in the eificiency of the above-stated action. The rolling action. of the float on the face of the plug P, also insures maximum mechanical elliciency.

In the claims, the expression lateral out let is used to define any lateral location of orifice O at, above or below the horizontal meridian of the float wherein a substantial or useful effect of the invention is obtained; but the, most ellective location of the orifice is usually on the horizontal meridian of the ll oat, and this location of the orifice has been found most clicciive in separating and discharging air as will be described hereinafter.

The term "lateral outlet also includes an orifice of any shape. For example, the above calculation of the capacity of a fourinch float to operate against a pressure of 160 pounds, was based on an assumed orifice of a quarter inch diameter which in form was circular. But the lever-arm Z)o may be reduced to one-half of its former length, from one-eighth inch to one-sixteenth inch, thus doubling the leverage), without changing the orifice area, by a fifty percent. reduction of the vertical diameter of orifice O. and by such an increase in its horizontal dimensions as to produce the same area as before. i. 0.. one twentieth of an inch. Thus, by an elliptical orifice 0, such as shown in Fig. 3. the float can open the outlet against any steam pressure up to three hundred and twenty pounds, twice that with a lever-arm Zi-b of double length. This elliptical form of orifice conforms (Fig. 3) to the intersection (Z, c of: a. spher as float F, with a cylindricul surface 7, g as embodied in a nozzle made with its operating surt'a ce a section of aieaeie a hollow cylinder with a vertical axis, and radius of curvature greater than that of the fioat F, as diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 3, the elliptical orifice fitting the surface of the spherical float as perfectly as the circular orifice.

It is desirable that the action of the float should be prompt in closing the outletorifice forthwith on occasions when steam may escape. That is, the float valve should be maintained in position vertically near orifice 0 so that the advent of steam pressure will force it tightly against the orifice, to prevent the escape of steam from above or below the float. The float can be kept low enough, to prevent steam escape below it, by making it suliiciently heavyto have sufiicient inherent submergence. This Will prevent the escape of steam during an interval which would otherwise be required for the steam pressure to sink the float to its closing position or to blow out water to decrease the water level at which the float closes the orifice. But in small devices using small floats, particularly of more than half submergence, some means should be provided to insure prompt closure, and pre vent escape of steam through orifice 0 above thefioat. In such cases, under conditions of low water level, the heavy float may fall so as to open the top of orifice O sufiiciently to permit the free escape of steam. The rapid. flow of steam over or through the water would tend to atomize the water, carrying it out in the form of spray and yet further reducing the water level so as to leave the float entirely unsupported and orifice 0 wide open until condensation again established the normal operative water level.

Such occasions would be especially liable during periods when the steam pressure might not be sufiiciently high to materially aid the water level in maintaining the float in closing position. In such cases the stop S may be employed to prevent the float from falling below a position where the advent of steam can promptly close the outlet orifice. The stop S may he sometimes externally threaded as shown in Fig. l, and providcd with a slot in for the reception of an adjusting instrument, and may he usually set so that when the float rests on it, the orifice Q will be entirely closed. Gr the stop S may be set so that orifice 0 may be open slightly at the top in cases Where it is desirable to drain the system quickly of air by way of orifice O. In the latter case, the slightly lowered stop permits of the vertical oscillation of -the float when in action, changing momentarily the fulcrum M from the top to the bottom of the orifice O and causing a slight opening at the top of the orifice, thus facilitating the escape of air.

' A means which I have found particularly effective in small devices which are inherweenie ently slow in discharging air, and in dis charging water, is the thermostatic device or. Strip J of Fig. 1, constituting a stop for the float which can, if desired, be used either with or without stopv S, and in a case where inlet I may be at another part of the casing C. than the bottom location shown. At times when -'there maybe no steam in the casing, but when there may be cold water, and par-' ticularly air, which should be discharged, the strip J is cool, and assumes an elevated position, shown in dotted lines, compelling water which is high enough to pass out. As

soon as steam, or hot water from which steam .might arise, enters the casing, the strip J, heated thereby, is causedto assume a lower position, thereby freeing the float and permitting it to exercise its normal function. -The strip J need not, as shown,- act as a bottom stop, however, but may be.

located at anyplace where itsextension would force the float from the orifice 0. When the inlet I is located at the bottom, as shown, it permits the float to be a 'tated by' incoming-air so as to open Oto at the air escape. The. strip J can, of course, be usedjwith any formof the float-controlled valve device of this invention.

in addition to permitting the escape of water, while trapping substantially all the steam, this invention provides an efiicient means for permitting the escape or separation of gases, or of aeriform fluids such as air. This function is particularly due to the location of the lateral outlet orifice 0 approximately at the water level. The im vention has been desciibed above. as to the Wateror liquid exit chiefly, and asif the orifice 0 were simply in a tube or pipe, without the extended adjacent surfaces shown. The structure will now be described with reference to its aeriform-fluid separating functions.

In this invention, the relatively small lateral outlet orifice 0 promotes the escape of air with but immaterial escape of steam, by reason of'the fact that,it is located at; or

slightly above, or slightly below the horiaontal meridian'of the float,

so that the water will not trap the air as in the case of a deeply submerged or bottom outlet, but so that when the water escapes, the air will escape also, while only. relatively minute amounts of steam will.be lost. This action is materially assisted by the construction of the coiiperating end of nozzle P, which, instead -of presenting merely the orifice O with a narrow edge, or such an orifice with sides sloping away from the float, has a broad'extenlded end surface as clearly shown.

This extended. face of the nozzle forms, in

conjunction with the float, a narrow or thin annular recess R between thefioat and nozzle face. This recess or passage extends entirely around the orifice O, and'communL cates with the space .above and below the water-level. It is this recess or passage R which permits the separation and escape of the air, which passes through it en route to orifice O. The concavity of nozzle P (as shown in Fig. 1), is desirable in providing a thinner rece'ssfor the water film than a flat face would provide; and at the same time .the float (when used as a valve) may have a definit rolling action, as on a fiat face, since the hollow face of the nozzle is of larger curvature than that of the float.

.Two different physical actions appear to be involved in the process of air-separation,

according as the water level may be above or below the orifice O. In Fig. 4 is illustrated the action of air-separation in the case of a water level below the orifice O, the viewpoint being'toward the right of the interior of Fig. 1, as in Fig. 3. The water level, shown-at W, takes the form of a thin film rising on the face of the nozzle in the.

recess R between the nozzle and the float. This is due to the familiar phenomenon of the tendency ofwater to creep into chinks and crevices, and climb to a height dependent upon the proximity of the two surfaces,

' such as P and F. The water film does not entirely surround orifice 0, but leaves its upper part free, as shown in Fig. 4, so that upon the lifting of the float,and opening of the orificeya very small passage is formed for the free exit of the air, at the top of the orifice. The air first passes down from above water level IV, through the thin recess It above orifice 0 between the float and nozzle. This thin passage affords a downward path of low impedance for the air except when the water level might be so high as to flood the passage, which latter need not be the case in a -well-designed embodiment of the invention. As soon as the air reaches orifice 0, it escapes therethrough.-

In Fig. 5 is'illustrated the action when the water level which opens the orifice, is materially higher than orifice.O.- In this case the water lev 1 takes the form indicated by the dotted line VV-W, dipping down at W W where the float and nozzle approximate contact with each other. This dipping' down of the water line is due to the fact that the water that gets into this recess can pass out through the orifice more rapidly providing the artificial channel G, (Figs.

flowing pastthe channel will engage its vertical edges 1.0 w Fig. 7, without flooding the channel itself. As shown in Fig. 7, channel G extends dowmvardly to a point close to the edge of orifice G. The function of channel (l, when employed, is to increase the insurance against an entire scaling up of orifice. O. by awater film, against air' flow, and channel (l does this because the flow of air through it sweeps down any moisture tending to collect in it. By the use of channel G, it is possible to prevent sealing of the orifice against outfioWof air, even with an operative water level vnearly as high as the upper periphery of the nozzle I, or as much as three quarters of aninch or more above'orifice 0. While this arrangement of nozzle permits the discharge of air with relative rapidity, the amount of steam discharged following the discharge ,of air is inappreciable in amount, experiments indicating a screening action due to the very small dimensions of the outlet for air, through which steam flows with materially greater impedance, it being a well known fact that steam passes through very thin passages, such as joints or cracks in pipes, much less readily than air. T he passage ll and channel G are controlled by the same valve (float which controls orifice Q itself. The channel G is not always essential, in order to ellectively discharge air; but is useful in increasing the efficiency of this action when the amount of air to be removed is large.

In any case where the structure is adapted to separate air in accordance with theinvention, the air outlet D in cover T of Fig. 1 may be dispensed with.-

If desired, an air shunt passage shown at Q in Fig. 1, may be employed for the air discharge. This passage Q, as shown, to larger scale in Fig. 1", has its lower end open toward the fioat F in close proximity to orifice 0, being separated from it by a thin bridge of metal, only.- ln such case the air is compelled to pass through a verylthin passage way between the fioat and nozzle on its way from the passage Q to the orifice O,

which passage-way is controlled by the ac:

tion of the float, and may be entirely closed in case thetloat rises so as to cover the outlet of the passage Q, in the nozzle face. The advantage of shunt Q is that its upper end may be placed so high as to be above high. water level and thereby it may be protected from the ant ance of floating foreigngnatter which might otherwise stop it up. .The shunt Q is also particularly useful with the concave nozzle P as in Fig. 1, for the discharge of air in cases of unusually deep water-submergence of orifice O. In such case the water film may rise so high in the thin -recess R between the two surfaces, (which is particularly thin because both. of said surfaces are of nearly the same curvature) as to entirely surround orifice O and seal it from air escape except by way of shunt Q. In this case the narrow metal bridge between orifice O and the lower end of shunt Q will be swept clear of the water film by the air passing througl'i Q and escaping through 0. Thus the air escape may be efficient even with a very high water level and the space R filled with water. This action-has been observed with a water-submergence of O as great as of an inch. The depth of possible submergence, with sufiicient air separation, is limited only by the difference in resistance to How of air offered. on the one hand by the shunt Q and on the other by the figure N represents one of the legs of the radiator, and X one of the sections of the radiator. The lower part of the radiator itself marked 0. forms the casing of the trap. U is a screen which is suitably connected with the casing and which incloses the float F. It is adapted to'prevent access to the orifice O of foreign matter that would not readily pass through it. The other parts of the trap shown in Fig. 2 are substantially the same as those lready explained except that the form of the plug l is made dillerent, being made in such a form that it can be screwed directly into the side or end of the radiator. In this form of plug the surface surrounding the orifice O is a fiat .or plane surface as shown. In this form of construe tion the accumulation of the water of con.-

densation in the radiator itself operates the vention is shown in which the inlet opening is so arranged relatively to the float as to prevent any back flow of the escaping fluids.

In this form of valve the inlet X is placed 7 at one side of the casing as shown, in line with the outlet orifice Q. The inlet X is provided with an orifice Y which is large in diameter relatively to the float, and which is provided with a seat adapted to receive the float F; As the orifice Y is made large the float will be prevented from rolling up wardly over the-edge of the orifice Y, but. will be held against that orifice if there is any tendency for bacl: flow of the fluid. The valve in this form is provided with a stop S consisting of a wire or rod projecting weenie from the edge of the casing and shaped at its outer end in the form of a ring on which the float S rests when in its lower position. In 'this form the plug P is provided with a small air passage Ur which is shown in a front view in Fig. 7. This passage is deeper at the top as shown in Fig. 6, and gradually grows shallower toward its lower end.

An important feature of the air separating function of the invention is that it is operative over a wide range of steam pressures, while the escape of steam in material quantities is not necessarily increased by stricting the width of the passage to the ori higher steam pressures. lhis is due to the fact that with the higher steam pressures the float is pressed against the orifice with greater force, materially reducing the area of the opening for the outflow of air or steam, at the same time the higher water level, necessary to operate the float against a higher steam pressure assists in decreasing the area of the air or steam outlet by relice by increeping of the water film. While the velocity of air or steam outflow may be greater with the higher pressure, the reduc tion of area of outlet prevents material increase in flow over that'produeed by lower steam pressures, with consequent lower water level, and larger-area of orifice open to air or steam discharge. The orifices of these devices are practically where very small, the repeated, although slight oscillations of the float or valve operating to roll or grind such particles, so that they readily wash through the orifice 0. Larger particles, by temporarily acting as fulcra. throw the float or valve away from the orifice, permitting an instantaneous increase of water discharge which sweeps the particles through the orifice. The orifice is preferably made short, (Fig. 1), as it in a thin plate, in order to, facilitate passage through it of such matter.

The device as embodied in Fig. 1, is also a CliQCli-VfllVQOI' non-return valve, preventing back-flow of water or steam from the return line. In case the direction of pressure in the system has been reversed, the water may tend to flow thrdugh 0 from the right,

as a result ,ofthe closing of the radiator steam-admiss10n valve witha continuation of pressure in the return line, oras a resuit of radiator vacuum from condensation I so therein. The bodyF, formerly tending to float, is then instantly sucked against the orifice I by the vacuum, if located, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6, so that the float can be drawn to it, assisted by the weight of Fin the c'aseot the bottom location of orifice 1 shown in Fig", 1, so as to efiectually prevent the return flow of water or steam to the radiator. The presentation of orifice I as in Fig. 1 is advantageous in that being thereby beneath the float, there can be no sure.

self-clearing, even "surfaces.

turning moment of flotation, tending, as at O, 'to open orifice 1 against the orifice pres- But n there be such a turning moment, as-a result of a change of the angular displacement of the orifice I from position illustrated in Fig. 1, as to its lateral location in Fig. 6, the area of the orifice I may be made sufliciently large so that the effective orifice pressure will not be overcome by such action; and orifice I, in position directly beneath the Heat, should in any case be made so large as to'prevent the displacement of the float by back-water enter ing through 0 and impinging on the side ot' the float. The orifice I may be as large as the general structure may conveniently permit, as it is desirable for the steam-trap action to have the casing in as free communication with the radiator as if the latter were the casing itself, and indeed, it is contemplated that the radiator itself may be the casing, or a part of" the casing, as in Fig. 2, and, in generah'for the non-return or check-valve action, a larger diameter of orifice I .will increase the closing power of the float on orifice I, and therebygin con junction with the sealing effect of the surrounding water, provide additional insurance against flooding the radiator. As soon as the normal condition of radiator pressure is resumed, thedevice will resume its normal steam-trap action. For either function, steam trap,,or non-return, the inlet l may be at'any part of the casing. But the stop S may be employed, whether or not I is located beneath the float, as in Fig. BI

In cases where, as shown in Fig. l, the inlet I is beneath the float, and where it is also desired to employ the adjustable stop S, as also shown in Fig. l, the orifice I may be in the stop S as shown. -While it is not tied essary in other cases to have this arrangement whereby the float normally may be seated approximately against both orifices I and 0, yet this is a simple arrangement involving several of the principal useful features of the inveptiom'and this condition might exist independentlyott adjustability of support 51.

In cases where the buoyancy of the float sufliciently. over-balances the closing" pres sure at the outlet the float may rise and move as a free body in the-dotted lineposition F or about it, and on its return to nor- Trialposition, present different surtaces to will be long even if constructed oat soft and thin material and without special Wearing The varioussurtaces which are. presented to the orifices maybe properly regarded as the valye, the rest of the, float, being the ineanscontrolling the valve. edge of orifices O and I, and their adjacent surfaces, may be of hard bronze so that their life will be long.- The larger sizes of float F are made in the usual manner, of hollow metal hemispheres brazed together at the meridian, but smaller sizes have been made of hollow glass spheres withincluded mercury for the desired submergence, lhe float need not be spherical, although that form is .used in the best form of my invention.

It is manifest that the various features of the invention may be embodied in various structures which may resemble each other only in the inclusion of such feature or features.

In the claims, the word fluid is used to define and include all liquids, gases and vapors, lhe specification of the lateral outlet as to location approximately at the horizontal meridian of the fioat, means location somewhat above or below the horizontal me-' ridian of the float.

Vfhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A trap for separating liquids, or liquids and gases, from vapors which comprises a' casing provided with a lateral outlet orifice, and a rolling valve adapted to be rolled across said orifice by the-rising and falling of the liquid so as to control the orifice, and a discharge pipe leading downwardly from the outlet orifice.

2. A trap for separating liquids, or liquids and gases, from vapors which comprises a casing provided Witha lateral outlet orifice, and a float adapted to roll across said orifice so as to control the same, and a discharge pipe leading downwardly from the outlet orifice.

A trap for separating liquids, or liquids and gases, from vapors which comprises a casing provided with a lateral outlet orifice, and a float adapted to roll across said orifice so aS to control the same, the orifice being small relatively to the size of the float, and a discharge pipe leading downwardly from the outlet orifice.

4-. A trap for separating liquids, or liquids and gases, from vapors which comprises a casing provided with a lateral out-let orifice,

heat adapted. to roll across said orifice to control the same, the orifice being located appr match; at the liquid level at which it is opened by the rising of thefi'oat,

and a discharge pipe leading downwardly from the outlet orifice.

5. trap for separating liquids, or liquids and gases, from vaporswhich comprises a casing provided with a lateral outlet orifice, and a float adapted to roll across said orifice so as to control the same, the orifice being located a" ,proxiinately in line with'the horizontal r eridian of the float when the float closes tie orifice, and a discharge pipe lead ing" do .vnwardly from the outlet orifice.

- 6. fl. trap for separating liquids, or liquids and gases, from vapors which comprises a casing provided with a lateral outlet orifice, a surface extending from the periphery of said orifice, and a rolling valve adapted to be rolled across said surface by the rising or falling of the liquid so as to control the orifice and a discharge pipe to permit the escape of the liquid after it has passed through the outlet orifice irrespective of the pressure in the casing inside of the outlet orifice.

7. A trap for separating liquids, or liquids and gases, from vapors which comprises a casing provided with. a lateral outlet orifice,

a surface extending from the periphery of said orifice, and a float adapted to roll across said surface so as to control the orifice and a discharge pipe to permit the escape of the liquid after it has passed through the outlet orifice irrespective of the pressure in the casing inside of the outlet orifice.

8. A. trap for separating liquids, or liquids and gases, from vapors which comprises a casing provided with a lateral outlet orifice, a curved surface extending from the periphcry of said orifice, and a float having a curved surface, adapted to rollv across said surface so as to control the orifice, the our vature of the float being sharper than the curvature of the surface on w iich it rolls.

9. A trap for separating liquids, or liquids and gases, from vapors, which comprises a casing having a lateral outlet orifice, and a freely floating valve for said orifice, the orifice being relatively small and located at approximately the horizontal meridian of the floating valve, and a discharge pipe leading downwardly from the outlet orififie.

10. A. trap for separating liquids, or liquids and gases, from vapors, which comprises a casing provided with a lateral outlet orifice, and a spherical float adapted to roll across said orifice so as to control the same, and a discharge pipe leading downwardly from the outlet orifice.

11. A trap. for separating liquids, or liquids and gases, from vapors, which comprises a casing provided with a lateral outlet orifice, a concave surface extending from the periphery of said orifice, and a spherical float adapted to roll across said surface so as to control the orifice. and form a thin passage between itself and the concave surface.

12. A trap for separating liquids, or liquids and gases, from vapors, which comprises a casing provided with a lateral out lct orifice, and a rolling valve adapted to be rolled across said orifice by the rising and falling of the liquid so as to control the ori lice, and a thermostat adapted to roll the valve away from the orifice.

13. A trap for separating liquids, or liquids and gases, from vapors, which comprises a casing, a float inside the casing, and a relatively small lateral outlet closed by the float at a normal liquid level in the casing,

said float being acted upon by a rise in liquid level to roll on the upper part of its seat as a fulcrum, and a discharge pi e leading downwardly from the outlet ori ce.

1%. A trap for separating liquids, or liquids and gases, from vapors, which'cornprises a casing having a'steam inlet, a rolling float inside the casing, and a relatively small lateral outlet, the float acting to close the outlet against the outflow of steam, and to close the steam inlet to prevent return or back-flow. e

15. A. trap for separating liquids, or liquids and gases, from vapors, which comprises a casing having a bottom steam inlet and a lateral Water outlet, and a rolling float in the casing, the parts being arranged to cause the float to close the outlet against the flow of steam and to close the inlet to. prevent back-flow out of the device.

16. In a trap for separating liquids, or

, liquids and gases, from vapors, the combination with a casing having two orifices respectively presented horizontally and vertically, of a float normally approximately seated on both of said orifices.

17. A trap for separating liquids, or liquids and gases, from vapors, which comprises a casing, a float therein, and a rela tively small lateral outlet, the float acting as a valve directly seated over the lateral outlet, and the float being freely movable to present various Wearing surfaces to its said seat, and a discharge pipe leading down wardly from the outlet orifice.

18. A trap for separating liquids, or liquids and gases, from vapors, which comprises a casing provided with a lateral outlet orifice which is small relatively to the size of the float, a surface extending from the peripheryof said orifice, a float adapted to roll across said extended surface so as to control the orifice, the float being operated by the rising and falling of the liquid in the casing, and a passage for air or gas leading from a higher point in the casing to a point near the periphery of the outlet orifice.

19. A trap for separating liquids, or liquids and gases, from vapors, which comprises a casing provided with a lateral outlet orifice which is small relatively to the size of the float, a surfaceextending from the periphery of said orifice, a float adapted to roll across said extended surface so as to control the orifice, the float being operated by the rising, and falling of the liquid in the casing, and a passage for air or gas leading from a higher point in the casing to a point near the periphery of the outlet'orifice, and a stop to limit the downward motion of the 20. trap for separating liquids, or liquids and gases, from vapors, which cornprises a casing, a discharge nozzle having an outlet orifice, anda surfaceextending from the periphery of said orifice, a float adapted to roll across the surtace of the nozzle so as tomontrol the entice, the float being operated by the rising and falling of the liquid in the casing, said nozzle having a passage through it for air or leadingfrom a higher point in the casing to a point near the periphery of. its outlet orifice.

21. A trap for separating liquids, or liquids and gases from vapors, which comprises a casing, a discharge nozzle having an outlet orifice, and a surface extending from the periphery oi said orifice, a float adapted to roll across the surface of the nozzle so as to control the orifice, the float being oper ated by therising and falling of the liquid in the casing.

22. A trap for separating liquids, or liquids and gases from vapors, which comprises a casing, a discharge nozzle having an outlet orifice, and a surface extending from the periphery of said orifice,'a float adapted to roll across the surface of the nozzle so as to control the orifice, the float being operated by the rising and falling of the liquid in the casing, and a cleaning-pin for cleaningthe orifice, and means for movingsaid pin into and out of said orifice.

23. The combination of a radiator or heater adapted to be used in a steam heating system provided with a lateral outlet orifice and a rolling valve adapted to be rolled across said orifice by the rising and falling of the water of condensation so as to control the orifice and a discharge pipe leading downwardly from the outlet orifice.

24. The combination of a radiator or heater adapted to be used in a steam heating system provided with a lateral outlet orifice and a float adapted to be rolled across said orifice so as to control the same by the rising and falling of the Water of condensation and a discharge pipe leading downwardly from the outlet orifice.

25. The combination of a radiator or heater adapted to be used in a steam heating system provided with a lateral outlet orifice, a surface extending from the periphery of said orifice, and a float adapted to be rolled across said surface so as to control the orifice by the rising and falling of the water of condensation.

26. The combination of a radiator or system provided with a lateral outletorifice, name to this specification in the presence of and a spherical float adapted to be rolled two subscribing Witnesses.

across said orifice so as to control the same I by the rising and falling of the Water of CHARLES Q vondensation arid a discharge pipe leading Witnesses:

downwardly from theoutlet orifice. J'No. R. AUs'r,

T 3 testimony whereof, I have signed my W. A. TIMMONS. 

